The climate and processing technology group Walter Meier is expanding the market presence of its Climate Division into Austria and Hungary. The establishment of a subsidiary in Vienna and the acquisition of Eichler Klima GesmbH and Eichler Hungária Kft. are the first steps in the Group’s expansion into Eastern Europe.

The growth markets of Eastern Europe fall within Walter Meier’s strategic focus. The establishment of a subsidiary in Vienna, Walter Meier (Klima Österreich) GmbH, and the acquisition of the two Eichler companies as of January 1, 2009, are the first steps in the eastward expansion of the international climate and processing technology group. Eichler Klima GesmbH operates in Austria, while Eichler Hungária Kft. is active in Hungary. “We are starting our direct presence in these markets with our own established humidification products under the Condair and Defensor brands. These will be complemented in an ideal way by Eichler’s ventilation components business. In the future, we will gradually expand our product portfolio, most notably in the areas of heat pumps, chillers and dehumidification,” says CEO Silvan G.-R. Meier, explaining the Group’s entry into these markets.

Eichler has been a successful distributor for Walter Meier on the humidification market for over 40 years. This means that many processes have already been harmonized, which will accelerate the companies’ integration into the Walter Meier Group. Together, the two newly acquired companies generate annual sales of approximately EUR 4 million and have 16 employees, all of whom will be taken on. Christian Werro will take on overall responsibility for the Austrian and Hungarian markets and the integration of the companies into the Walter Meier Group. The previous General Managers, Wolfgang Baumgartner in Austria and Akos Kálmán in Hungary, will remain in their roles and will continue to be responsible for their respective markets, reveals the company’s press release.

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